'John Carter,' 'Frankenweenie' to move 2012 spots

“Mars,” a big-budget sci-fier based on the Edgar Rice Burroughs novel will move from the summer June 8 berth to an earlier March 9 slot, a date that’s worked in the past for tentpoles like Warner Bros.’ “300” and “Watchmen.”

“Frankenweenie” had been on the March 9 date but will now take a later spot on the calendar on Oct. 5, closer to Halloween, which is more fitting for the family pic about a boy who brings his dead dog back to life as a Frankenstein-like monster.